In 2006, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, launched a major ‘Return to India’ initiative. The goal was to create a pool of highly skilled and trained researchers in life sciences and biotechnology.
AUGUST 31, 2024 | By Akshatha N.S. and Divya P. Kumar
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
- H.W. Longfellow
In the bustling world of medical research, few names shine as brightly as Dr. V. Ramalingaswami’s. His pioneering work in medical science and public health laid the foundation for a legacy that continues through the Ramalingaswami Fellowship, a program aimed at nurturing and supporting young scientists of Indian origin poised to make their mark in the scientific world.
In 2006, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, launched a major ‘Return to India’ initiative. The goal was to create a pool of highly skilled and trained researchers in life sciences and biotechnology. For nearly two decades, the Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship (RLF) has successfully brought back over 500 life science researchers from around the world.
Dr. Meenakshi Munshi, a former DBT adviser who closely handled the RLF for 15 years, fondly recalls:
“The department had no clue whether anyone would like to relocate, but as the advertisement was rolled out, applications were received, and candidates were selected. We moved from an initial selection of 10 candidates to 75 per year over a period of nearly a decade and a half. This scheme was very dear to me, as I was able to help young scientists start their research careers in the country. I made it a point to help them, even at times going beyond my duty hours, but that gave me a lot of satisfaction.” — Dr. Meenakshi Munshi, Former Adviser, Department of Biotechnology, GOI.
I remember the day I first encountered Dr. Ramalingaswami’s story—an inspiring tale of dedication and groundbreaking discovery. As one of the many researchers who have benefited from this prestigious fellowship, I feel privileged to introduce Dr. V. Ramalingaswami and commemorate his 103rd birth anniversary.
As rightly noted by Sir Harold Walter, President of the 1976 World Health Assembly, Dr. Ramalingaswami was a physician, scientist, teacher, and humanist, excelling in each of these roles and seamlessly integrating them into a unified vision. Fondly called ‘Rama’ by his peers, Dr. Ramalingaswami was a multifaceted Indian medical scientist dedicated to understanding human diseases to alleviate suffering. He was a true gem of Indian academia. Devoted to science and policy issues, he worked across a broad range of disciplines, including community health, nutrition, liver diseases, and other critical areas of medical research. From laboratory work to clinical applications, he was undeniably a quintessential scientist.
Born on August 8, 1921, in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Ramalingaswami was educated and worked at some of the finest medical institutions, which significantly contributed to his unparalleled achievements as a physician-scientist. After earning his medical degree and MD at Andhra Medical College, he worked with Dr. Hugh M. Sinclair at the University of Oxford, focusing on nutritional pathology. His doctoral thesis explored the role of essential fatty acids in phrynoderma, a rare dermatological condition linked to nutrition. Upon returning to India, he embarked on extensive research into various human diseases, including Kwashiorkor, Indian childhood cirrhosis, vitamin A and D deficiencies, goiter, and liver toxicity. His first international paper, published in The Lancet in 1952, titled “Hepatic cholesterol content in nutritional disorders,” introduced the Indian scientific community to the world.
As a research officer at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr. Ramalingaswami's strong scientific acumen and vision propelled him to the position of deputy director of both ICMR and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, in 1979. He made profound contributions to the health sector by establishing regional research centers, centers of excellence, and a talent-search program to attract young minds to research.
One of Dr. Ramalingaswami's most significant translational contributions was in the field of nutritional anemia, a condition predominantly affecting young pregnant women in India due to iron deficiency. His work led to the formulation of the National Nutritional Anemia Control Program, aimed at improving the health of women and children. This study was later extended internationally and incorporated into WHO guidelines. His contributions to hepatology are equally noteworthy. His work on chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatocellular carcinoma led him to coin the term ‘non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis.’ He also studied Indian childhood cirrhosis and described the morphogenesis of atherosclerosis among Indians, linking cardiovascular diseases to high-cholesterol diets.
Dr. Ramalingaswami was also a founding member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences and a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy in 1971. He actively served on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Government of India, in addition to being a special adviser to UNICEF and WHO. His accolades include prestigious awards such as the J. C. Bose Medal, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Leon Bernard Foundation Award from WHO. Furthermore, the Indo-US Vaccine Action Program (VAP), a bilateral initiative still thriving today, was the brainchild of Dr. Ramalingaswami and Dr. Fred Robbins of the USA, aimed at developing indigenous competencies in immunodiagnostics and vaccine development.
The aptly named Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship captures the essence of Dr. Ramalingaswami’s research endeavors. It is not just a prestigious award but also a responsibility to advance research aligned with the values Dr. Ramalingaswami championed. Despite the challenges associated with returning faculty fellows, the fellowship is widely regarded as a successful initiative. Dr. Hari Kumar, a recipient of the fellowship, recollects how it served as a stepping stone for him to establish a solid research group in India:
“Receiving the Ramalingaswami Fellowship was a profound honor. One month after joining RGCB, I activated my RLS fellowship. The biggest advantage was the flexibility associated with the grant, which allowed me to use it to meet my needs in the lab. Within two years, I managed to secure two other grants. The contingency fund in RLS served as seed money to initiate a few other projects in my lab while completing the approved objectives of my fellowship. DBT was also very supportive of the timely release of funds. The fellowship not only provided resources but also connected me with a community of like-minded scholars dedicated to pushing boundaries and making meaningful contributions.” — Dr. Hari Kumar K.B., RLS fellow (2012), Scientist E-II, BRIC- RGCB, Thiruvananthapuram.
Dr. Sanjay Mishra, another former fellowship awardee and now an advisor at DBT for RLF, explains how the fellowship pivoted his scientific career in India:
“The RLS Fellowship has been a milestone in my career, as it gave me a strong reason and footing to return to India. I never imagined that one day I would be responsible for the same fellowship! I hope that many more scientists working abroad will take advantage of this opportunity to return to India. The Ramalingaswami Fellowship has created a vibrant network of researchers united in advancing knowledge and addressing critical scientific challenges. The legacy of Dr. Ramalingaswami is embedded in our collaborative spirit and shared dedication to making a difference.” — Dr. Sanjay Mishra, Senior Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, GOI.
This initiative has shaped and nurtured the scientific careers of many. The fellows have significantly contributed to the growth of the Indian scientific ecosystem through patents, innovative technologies, and entrepreneurial opportunities. On a personal note, working in the field of liver diseases and metabolic syndrome, being a part of the Ramalingaswami Fellowship is an honor. It’s not just about funding; it’s about being part of a legacy that values dedication, innovation, and the aspiration to solve real-world problems, just as Dr. Ramalingaswami did.
In honoring Dr. Ramalingaswami’s legacy, the fellowship not only celebrates past achievements but also inspires future generations to continue the journey of discovery and innovation. His vision lives on through every research breakthrough and every aspiring scientist supported by this remarkable program.
Here is a link to learn more about this Programme:
Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship(RRF) Programme
About Authors:
Dr. Divya P. Kumar, is currently an Associate Professor (Ramalingaswami fellowship awardee (Feb.2019-Feb. 2024) at the Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research.
Akshatha N.S. (PhD Research Scholar at the Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS AHER).
Disclaimer:
SciSoup declares no competing interests. The opinions expressed by the contributors to this blog are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of SciSoup, its creators, or affiliates. This blog is intended to raise awareness and foster informed discussion.